A Few Little Crafts & Gratitude

I have been busy with school and family stuff lately and haven't really had time to do much sewing.  I am working on a Valentine quilt.  Clearly it wasn't done for this Valentine's Day, but I'm hoping for it to be done next year!  I don't have photos yet.  I did manage to make a couple things for gifts--

I made this embroidered snowman into a little wall hanging.

Another koozie.

And a snowman for my wallhanging.

Probably no sewing time for me the rest of this week.  Maybe next week. (sigh)

Gratitude--Today I am grateful for modern conveniences.  Sometimes I long for the simplicity of bygone days and then I remember how much physical labor women had to do.  While I love to cook, it is time consuming.  I can't imagine doing it without today's appliances--even though I don't have the most modern.  I am grateful for my automatic washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher.  And let's not forget the furnace and AC!  Thanks you Lord for all of the conveniences that make my life easier!

Koozie Tutorial and Bean Soup

Let's start with the bean soup.  When we have ham like we did on Thanksgiving, one of the things we look forward to is bean soup.  Mom made bean soup at home, but I didn't particularly like it.  Bud's family made it very thick and pressure cooked it so it was kind of pasty.  I have always made it for Bud and some of the kids eat it, but not all. Ours has varied over the years from mostly potatoes and beans to now where we have lots of ham!  And I have learned to enjoy it.  So, on with the recipe--

BEAN SOUP

Ingredients:  Ham & ham bone 

                     Potatoes

                     Great Northern Beans

                        

Simmer the ham bone in water until the meat falls off of the bone.  Peel and slice potatoes and add to the pot.  (This is where I often put everything into the crockpot for the afternoon.)  Cook until almost tender.  Add Great Northern Beans.  Heat until warm.  Optional: Leftover ham gravy.  (We make ham gravy.  I know not everyone does, but it adds a lot of flavor to the soup if you have some.)

                                  ENJOY!

Please stop visit Colleen's blog--And Baby Makes Five--for more yummy recipes!

I began making koozies about a year ago.  I made myself a pattern out of some paper that came on some warm and natural, which you will see in the photos.  I have made so many of them that I'm over it!  But people continue to ask for them.  They make a great gift.  Use leftover fabric, use fabric from a team of their liking, or match it to a purse.

Supplies:  Fabric scraps

                 Trim pieces

                 Insul-Brite

Step 1--If you are making more than one you may want to make a pattern.  The rectangular piece is

9 1/2 " x 4 1/2".  This will be for the outside fabric, insul-brite, and lining.  The bottom piece is a    3 1/4"diameter  circle.  This will be for the outside bottom, insul-brite, and lining.

Step 2--  Cut your fabric.  Cut one outside piece of fabric, one inside piece of fabric, and one piece of insul-brite out of each pattern piece.

If you want to get creative, you could piece the outside piece using two different fabrics.

Step 3--Stitch the Insul-brite to the fabric sewing as close to the edge as possible. Do this on the bottom and side pieces. This is just to stabilize the fabric.

Next, add the trim.  If you are piecing the front you might want to put the trim on before you stitch the pieces together.  Or not, your choice!

Step 5--Now you are ready to sew the outside to the lining using a 1/4" seam.  After pressing topstitch close to the seam.

Step 6--Now pin the edges matching seams.  Stitch using a 1/4" seam.  Turn.

Step 7--By now both the outside and lining should be stitched to the bottom piece.  Pin the bottom to the sides with right sides together using a 1/4" seam.  Finish with a finishing stitch and turn right side out.

You can make these koozies to fit any size bottle or can.  Just measure around the container and add seam allowance plus a little.  For the bottom trace around the container and add the seam allowance.  Have fun with the trim and the fabric!

This is my first tutorial, so please ask if you have questions because something isn't clear.

Fun for Me!

I have my swap packaged and ready to mail tomorrow. This is only the second swap I've done, and I've been very nervous about it. I want my partner to like the things I made and/or purchased, but how do you really know if they do? Since she may take a peek at my blog I won't show what I sent until I know she has received them. They are going to Canada!

I made all things I would like, in fact a couple of the things I made I did make for myself, or I will be making for myself. I am sure I'm not the only one who makes things for gifts or craft shows, but never gets to keep one for herself. Well, next week I am going to remedy that situation. Since I am sending some things in the swap that I really wanted to keep, I am going to be crafting for myself next week. In fact I started tonight with this little cutie!

I bought this pattern, and I plan on making one of each for myself. Is there anyone who would like this as a gift? I think I know a few who might!

I am still working on the Gail Pan BOMs. I started a little late, so I need to catch up. I finally purchased the fabric for the quilt, and I decided that this one will be mine too.

So, I'm wondering......Do you craft/sew for yourself, or do you give it all away or sell it?

More Koozies

Back in January I shared my Koozies. I made the pattern and sewed up a bunch. I gave them to my female family members who in turn took them to work. This led to some orders. One order that I've been working on was for 12 Koozies with a "horse" theme. Of course they all needed to be a little different. So, off to Joanne's I went looking for horsey material. I found two patterns and then bought fat quarters in brown and black to coordinate. Next it was off to Hobby Lobby for trim--fringe, beads, hairy gimp, and rick rack. I've been working on these rather slowly. I just got tired of making them! Does that ever happen to you? Well, I made a deal with myself that I couldn't go on to something new until these were done....and I have a grandchild on the way so that means a quilt to make! I finished the koozies today! Yah!!!

I made thirteen in all, just so she can leave out one that she doesn't like.


Some had fringe.


Some had beads.

And some had hairy gimp.

















I am happy to move on to something else and I hope she likes them!

Porch Swap

As I began reading blogs in the fall I mostly read blogs that were prim or country decorators or quilters or crafters. They often talked about the swaps they were having. I wanted so badly to join one, but I didn't feel that I really could. I finally got the nerve up to join a porch swap in May. I was paired with another Kim and given the instructions. I had lots of ideas, but couldn't make a decision. I wanted something that would fit what she likes, something I'd enjoy making, and yet something that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to mail! Also, this was for someone who decorates in the prim style, which I only have touches of. This also made me continue to waver. I sent it off and am hoping she likes it.

In the meantime, I received my package from her today. I am thrilled with what I got! Here's a photo of the entire boxful.

The pillow is navy homespun to put in one of my rocking chairs, the star will go perfectly with the ones on the wall, the dainty flowers painted on red and the embroidered prayer sign will look great too!

The citronella candles will help keep the bugs at bay on those nice summer evenings. And I have been wanting the eco friendly water bottle and now I have one!!

These ladybugs will look great on the fruit jars I grunged up and put wire handles on!


Thanks, Kim! I hope you enjoyed your box too!